Mets' force of nature adds to his arsenal

Energetic Reyes blends speed with burgeoning power

March 04, 2007|By David Lennon, Tribune Newspapers: Newsday.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jose Reyes does not possess the intimidation factor of Carlos Delgado nor does he have the power numbers of Carlos Beltran. But the New York Mets shortstop is grabbing plenty of attention with the added muscle he's flexing in spring training.

And once the season begins, the heads turning will belong to opposing pitchers who don't respect his strength.

Don't be surprised if Reyes, one of the game's most dangerous leadoff men, starts going deep more and more this year.

"We don't want him to think that's his game," Delgado said. "We want him to think about hitting the ball up the middle. But he's not a little kid. He's not the average little shortstop. He's strong, and if he hits the ball, the ball's going to go. He hit some big shots last year."

Reyes smacked 19 home runs last season, and established a club record with six leadoff shots. He also became the seventh Met to swat three in a game, and first since Edgardo Alfonzo in 1999, when Reyes delivered the hat trick on Aug. 19 at Citizens Bank Park. His teammates still talk about that night, and the pure power Reyes displayed in crushing a 430-foot shot that reached the second deck in right field.

"I remember the ball he hit in Philadelphia," Delgado said. "I was like, `How do you hit the ball that far?' You don't want him to start thinking about going for the fence. Just stay with his game, and if it goes, it goes."

Reyes is so exciting to watch on the basepaths that it's almost a disappointment when he scores on one swing. He led the majors with 17 triples and 64 stolen bases, and you get the sense that's what he finds the most fun. When asked if clearing the fences would cut into his stolen-base total, Reyes put an end to that talk.

It might be out of his control. With such a stacked lineup behind him, pitchers can't get too cute with Reyes. And if they make a mistake, Reyes has the size (6 feet 1 inch, 195 pounds) and strength to make them pay immediately.

Two years ago, manager Willie Randolph wanted Reyes to be more patient at the plate, to bunt his way on and push up his on-base percentage. But in witnessing the damage he did last season, Randolph soon realized that Reyes is too talented to keep on a leash.

"I told him, `I don't want you up there taking pitches, looking for a walk,'" Randolph said. "Go up there and be aggressive. If he throws a good fastball to hit, a ball you think you can handle, knock the . . . out of it. That takes away all the thinking and guessing. As he gets older and smarter, it will click for him."

Despite his more muscular frame, the key to Reyes' power seems to be his boundless energy and enthusiasm for the game. After Delgado homered in a game last week, Reyes was waiting for him at the top step of the dugout, and the two did a variation of their celebratory dance from last season.

It's impossible to play with Reyes and not smile along with him. His spark provides enough electricity to light up an entire team.

"He's unique," Delgado said. "I never played with anybody with that kind of energy. He's unbelievable. I don't know how he does it. I mean, thank God for being 23 years old. He just runs out there and he doesn't get tired. He just runs and runs and runs."

Sometimes, Reyes makes his teammates just want to grab a seat. He can be that exhausting to watch. "He makes me feel older," Delgado said. "You can't compare yourself to Jose Reyes."